Plant Manager (m/f/d) Location: Southern Germany / District of Lörrach €110,000 – €120,000 basic salary 13th Month Payment = 13.5 Month 15% Performance Bonus 30 Days Leave Company Pension Scheme Health Insurance Job Bike/Canteen Other Great Benefits Relocation Support Negotiable Umbilical Search is pleased to partner with a global leader in the chemical manufacturing sector, operating one of the world’s most modern and largest production facilities for innovative products. With a focus on sustainable growth and operational excellence, this company delivers top-tier products to international markets while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and environmental responsibility. This 24/7, five-shift batch and continuous process manufacturing site boasts a fully integrated production flow with up to 60 pieces of specialised equipment, covering raw material handling, complex chemical and downstream processing, drying, blending, material handling and packaging. As part of a strategic leadership enhancement, we are seeking a dynamic and technically proficient Plant Manager to lead operations, manage a talented team, and drive continuous improvement at this flagship facility. For further information on this confidential assignment, please email an up-to-date CV and contact number to ajay@umbilicaladvanced.com Key Responsibilities: Lead all aspects of production and operations for a 24/7 manufacturing plant operating across five shifts – You will work days Monday to Friday Manage 40 direct production and operations staff, including 5 Shift Leaders and 25 operators, along with Plant Chemists and Continuous Improvement teams Partner with central departments (H&S, Quality, Maintenance, Engineering, Finance) to support site activities without direct line management Ensure production meets stringent quality, safety, regulatory, and customer requirements Drive operational efficiency, throughput, cost control, and equipment reliability through lean manufacturing and preventive maintenance Monitor KPIs including OEE, yield, downtime, scrap, deviations, staff availability, and absenteeism; implement corrective actions as needed Oversee budget planning, cost control, and capital expenditure aligned with company financial guidelines Develop a high-performance culture focused on safety, quality, continuous improvement, and employee engagement Manage recruitment, training, performance management, succession planning, and union relations with the Union and Workers’ Council Coordinate with R&D, supply chain, and commercial teams for new product scale-up and technical transfers Represent the plant during audits and ensure the timely resolution of any findings About You: Role: Plant Manager, Manufacturing Manager, Production Manager, Operations Manager or a related role Education: PhD or Master’s degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Engineering, Manufacturing, or a related discipline Extensive experience (3 years) in manufacturing roles within chemical process industries, ideally in complex batch and continuous process plants Proven leadership and personnel management skills with a track record of inspiring and developing teams Strong knowledge of quality management systems and regulatory compliance Experience with budgeting, cost control, and continuous improvement methodologies Fluent in German and English, with excellent communication skills and a solution-oriented mindset High learning agility and the ability to apply technical problem-solving in a complex environment This is a unique opportunity to lead one of the industry’s premier chemical manufacturing sites with full autonomy, making a tangible impact in a high-growth, innovation-driven environment. How to apply: Please click “apply” or for further information, please contact Ajay Bhella at Umbilical Limited, alternatively, please email me an up-to-date copy of your CV to ajay@umbilicaladvanced.com Umbilical Limited is committed to promoting Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace. We act as a neutral third party in the recruitment process, basing our candidate searches on skills and experience. We do not discriminate based on age, gender, sex, relationship status, disability, race, religion/beliefs, or sexual orientation.